York police will now regularly release names of impaired drivers
York Regional Police have announced that, effective immediately, they would be naming anyone charged with impaired-related driving.
On Monday, Chief Eric Jolliffe announced that they will name all drivers charged with impaired-related criminal driving offences, “to further make impaired driving socially unacceptable. We are not giving up.”
The list started with 16 names, all posted on York Regional Police’s website. It includes first and last names, as well as age, and where the driver is from.
16 IMPAIRED DRIVERS CHARGED THIS WEEKEND – “Effective immediately, @YRP will name all drivers charged with impaired-related criminal driving offences, to further make impaired driving socially unacceptable. We are not giving up.” Chief Eric Jolliffe https://t.co/vCkbesCEa1
— York Regional Police (@YRP) December 3, 2018
While many praised York Police’s decision on Twitter, some asked about the violation of privacy.
“It is not a violation of privacy. We have the authority to name people that are charged with a criminal offence, especially when public safety is at risk,” police said in a tweet. “People charged with impaired driving that may be driving while under suspension are a risk to public safety.”
It is not a violation of privacy. We have the authority to name people that are charged with a criminal offence, especially when public safety is at risk. People charged with impaired driving that may be driving while under suspension are a risk to public safety.
— York Regional Police (@YRP) December 3, 2018
And while ride checks are more frequent this time of year, this decision will not just last through the holidays.
“We will be naming all year, not just for the holiday season,” police said.